Another Opinel Fan Here

After reading Les' post, I was on Amazon getting something for the house (a refrigerator lock, if you must know) and figured what the hell, it's only twelve bucks, so I bought the Number 8 Carbon as well.

Les has gone over much of the knife's  attributes, so I'll just add a few things.

First, in addition to being very light, the metal locking collar causes the knife to ride hinge-down in your pocket almost without fail, which I like.

In addition to being wicked sharp, it's wicked sharp. I barely grazed it with my thumb, and it gave me what amounted to a paper cut. I've gotten out of the habit of shaving my arm hair with a knife to check sharpness, but I bet this one would take a thin layer of skin if not used carefully.

Finally, the No. 8 is a tad long for what I like in a pocket knife, so I might pick up a No 6 next time.

All in all, it was a quality find for 12 bucks.

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Civil War Averted

via email from Cousin McNasty:

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang:

"Hello, President Obama” a heavily accented southern voice said. "This is Archie, down here at Joe's Catfish Shack, in Mobile , and I am callin' to tell ya’ll that we are officially declaring war on y'all!"

"Well Archie," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"

"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my cousin Harold, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from Hooters. That makes eight!"

Barack paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command."

"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have to call ya back!"

Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. “Mr. Obama, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Archie?" Barack asked

"Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry’s farm tractor."

President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke."

"Lord above", said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya."

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. “President Obama! I am sorry to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war."

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over sweet tea, and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed that many prisoners."

whew, that was close
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RIP

Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr.

(January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011)

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So, We Need Two?

Saw a guy today wearing a T-shirt with "CBP Federal Agent" on it. I halfway thought he was a poser, because everybody knows ICE is the new name for Customs, right?

Well, so is CBP.

So, tell me again why we need to raise taxes? Oh, to support two agencies doing the same job, that's why. Don't even get me started on the FDA - USDA thing and the DEA - ATF - FBI - US Marshals* and God knows how many more thing.

* I would add the Treasury, Secret Service, Dept of Education and all the others, but it's Father's Day and I have more important things to do, like mix a Gin n Tonic.. Continue Reading

Not the Father's Day Gift I had Hoped For

My coffee maker crapped out.

Dammit.

Hope everybody has a happy Father's Day!

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Why Pay to Have Nitrogen Put in Your Car Tires?

When the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen anyway?

Just askin'.

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113 Swastikas

That's how many I counted today, when I was out for lunch.

Despite being both Catholic and in an interracial marriage, I wasn't concerned. Anyone want to guess why?

Hint: The answer has nothing to do with firearms or weapons in general. Continue Reading

CMP Update

via eamil:

CMP STORE SCHEDULES FOR 2011: Operating hours for the remainder of 2011 are now posted on the web pages for the CMP North store at Camp Perry, OH and the CMP South store in Anniston, AL. Please see http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/stores.htm.

NEW MANUFACTURE CRITERION BARRELS: We now have the following new manufacture replacement barrels in stock and available for purchase: M1 Garand .30-06; M1 Garand .308; M1 Carbine; M1903; M1903A3;  M1917; Krag .30-40 Carbine; Krag .30-40 rifle.  For pricing and to place an order, please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=BAR.

STOCK SETS NOW AVAILABLE: We now have the following new manufacture stock sets in stock and available for purchase, while quantities last: CMP item number 084 – M1 Garand unfinished walnut sock set with no metal; CMP item number 086 – M1903 “C” stock set; CMP item number 087 – M1903A3 “C” stock set; CMP item number 088 – M1903 “S” stock set; CMP item number 082 – M1 Garand walnut stock set with no metal (wood finished); CMP item number 082M – M1 Garand stock set with metal (wood finished). CMP item number 083M – M1 Carbine stock set with metal (wood finished).  For pricing and ordering, please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=PAC.

WEB SLINGS BACK IN STOCK: We have received a new shipment of new manufacture web slings for the M1 Garand. CMP item number is 854WEB. Price is $7.95 each. Please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=EQA.

M1D SNIPER RIFLES: We have completed inspection and grading of the remaining M1D sniper rifles and now have both Field Grade (RM1DF @ $1200) and Rack Grade (RM1DR @ $900) available for purchase.  See http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/rifles.htm for more details.  

REMINGTON MODEL 40X AND WINCHESTER MODEL 52: CMP has completed the inspection and sorting of all the model 40X and model 52 rifles we accumulated over the past two years. Please see http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/rifles.htm for description and pricing of available options. Quantity is relatively small and we expect these will sell quickly. Orders will be processed in sequence received while quantities last.  There is no reason for us to expect to receive any more of these rifles.

CARBINE BAYONETS: We now have M4 carbine bayonets available for purchase. These bayonets are used and in fair to good condition. Many are unmarked and of unknown manufacture and are probably foreign manufacture. For more detailed description and pricing, please see http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/relatedsales.htm (Accessories Tab).

CMP AUCTION PROGRAM: Brian Vick, the CMP Auction Coordinator, is relocating to accept a position at another company. We wish him well.  As part of transitioning to improved auction software and a new coordinator, we will not be adding any new items to the auction site for a few weeks, until all current items are sold and shipped to successful bidders.  Visit the CMP Auction Site at http://auction.odcmp.com/auctions/index.asp. 

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Updated Gun Giveaways

Over at The Weapon Blog, Aaron has a roundup of contests. Win guns, knives, the Constitution, NRA memberships, etc.

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News To Me

The Army and Air Force Exchange System is now selling guns. Back in my day, the MWR Rod and Gun did all the gun sales, now it's hit the big store.

My Binging (doesn't have the same ring as "Googling", does it?) tells me that if I had ever dropped by a gun forum I'd have known this, but none of them ever wanted to accept my handle, so I didn't bother. Besides, Forums (Fora?) can get silly, and there's enough silliness ion my life already, don't need to voluntarily add more.

Also, I have to think me settling close to a Navy base had something to do with it. No guns allowed there, whatsoever. They even shut down their postage-stamp range a few years back.

Ah well, nice to see progress. Might have to pop over to Ft Campbell and see what they have.

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OMG Sarah Palin is SO St00pid!

She's gone and done it again, made all those thoughtful progressives pee themselves.

See, in a recent news bit, she mentioned how Paul Revere warned the British that the Americans were preparing for war on his famous ride. Those learned liberals (as well as conservative Palin haters), whose whole frame of reference on the issue is a poem, jumped on it as yet another example of how st00pid she is*.

However, just like the Great Boston Tea Party Incident**, she was right. I wonder, does she do it on purpose? I would

Here's a round up of the hyperventilation.


* Of course, calling people st00pid is what they do. Even a Harvard MBA is st00pid if he doesn't think the way he should.

** I don't really put this on the same level, but close enough. Besides, it's the reaction that's fun to watch.

I really gotta get me another laptop. Lots of good stuff out there these days. Continue Reading